Volunteers, vendors sought for Poppy Fest

The stars of the 2013 Poppies Fest right now are just a distant vision.

But organizers of the seventh annual fest have been busy for months, promising an event that will appeal to children and adults with a variety of wildlife, educational exhibits and even short hikes.

And they could use your help.

"We need volunteers to help with directing people to the shuttle and helping with providing information on where people need to go and clean up and providing entertainment. We need volunteers for almost every aspect of the event, including fundraising," said Rick LoBello, one of the many organizers.

The popular and traditional fest will be March 23 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Trans Mountain. Free shuttle service is planned from the El Paso Community College Northeast campus parking lot to the museum.

LoBello, education curator at the El Paso Zoo, said the Poppy Fest is a great way to introduce people to our natural resources.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to get families outside in a way that combines a wild and urban setting. You are right there at the museum and right outside is this beautiful wilderness in the background," he said. "We've discovered that even if the poppies are not in full bloom, people still just love coming out there."

It's always hard to tell in advance whether the Mexican gold poppies will make a good appearance in time for the festival.

Workshops take place in the greenhouse. Wear jackets, hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.

For information or to register, 575-524-1886 or email gardens@zianet.com.

Free to Enchanted Garden benefit members; $7.50 per person.

Reservations are requested.

Inviting Pollinators into the Garden: Learn how to create a welcoming environment for pollinators to improve fruit and vegetable production.

The workshop will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at Enchanted Gardens, 270 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, also outside in the greenhouse.

Reservations are requested. The cost is $7.50 per person or free for Enchanted Garden benefit members.

For information or to register, call 524-1886 or email gardens@zianet.com.

María Cortés González, a reporter for the El Paso Times, is a Master Gardener. She may be reached at mcortes@elpaso times.com, 546-6150. Follow her on Twitter at EPTMaria or Like her Facebook page at EPTMariaGonzalez.

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